For the last thirty months or so I have lovingly referred to Feenie my-awesomely-animated-third-child simply as The Toddler here on my blog and in real life.  I've greeted my husband, upon his arrival at home each night, with the "you'll never believe what The Toddler did today" at least eight hundred and twenty-five times during those months.  Jeff, an only child, upon that greeting usually glanced around the house making sure the four walls around him were still in tact before letting out a sigh of relief.  "What didn't the Hurricane Feenie do today?"

The bio on my front page reads "happily married mother to 3 Cleveland natives: Jay the son, Lola the daughter, and Fifi the toddler."  And just above that, it states "a self proclaimed globe trotting, minivan driving, SAHM stiletto ho."

Feenie is no longer a toddler and I no longer drive a minivan.  All other descriptions still apply.  Can you guess which one of those changes makes me weep?

Clue:  I don't miss the minivan. At. All. And can't get used to describing her a preschooler. Oh my gosh, she's a preschooler.  Waaaa......

The other night on Twitter (after entertaining good friends and their kids at an impromptu "let's clean out the fridge" themed backyard bbq) I asked online peeps how often they had get-togethers at their own homes.  I was surprised to learn that I was a hosting whore and not everybody had company over allthetime.  I love to host any chance I get (like "let's clean out the fridge" par-tay).  Not that you asked for my opinion, but I will tell you it anyways... entertaining friends at night with or without kids is not only all kinds of awesome for the adults but also a valuable teaching lesson for children.   The lessons taught are endless but my most favorite one is "treat friends like you would want to be treated and they will come."

Which brings me to....

....  a re-cap of this years Emmy's party sponsored by Suave. Last's year is here.  This year my camera flash ran out of batteries and I resorted to using the one attached to the camera.  Blah. Can you see the difference?  Also, and moreso, apparently I chop off my hair at the end of the summer.  The smile is the same, "so happy to have friends over!"

Food from Maggiano's that not only delivered to my house but also took over the setting-up process with help from my ambitious blogging assistants, all being over seen by Julie the head of Beachwood's Maggiano catering was life saving. Julie had the patience to answer every single question my kids had.  Brava.   (Note: Suave gave me a food stipend but I can't help by telling you how freaking awesome the catering department of Maggiano was and that each one of my guests had second helpings.)

The ladies of Salon Blu in Mayfield Village gave red carpet worthy up-dos while we watched the Emmys.  And fancy manicures on the side.  Every guest left with new ways to style their hair using Suave products.

Local Cleveland bloggers in attendance: www.alllacqueredup.com, www.domesticextraordinaire.com, http://blog.iheartcleveland.com, http://mymanagedchaos.blogspot.com and www.kakakakaty.com.

Thanks to #SuaveBeauty for treating Cleveland area bloggers and local Classy Chaos commenters to an awesome night of great food, fun up-dos and great products.  We had a blast!

Usually, after one of these "sponsored" blog posts my bestest friend in the world in Chicago will call me on the next day and ask, "Do I really need that product? Is it as good as you say?"   From one girlfriend to another:  the Rosemary & Mint shampoo from Suave is just like the fancy Aveda version I have been religiously buying since 1999.  Pinky swear. No heavy build-up and the same amazing smell.  I am really bad at lying.

Disclosure:  Suave paid for the food and the salon services and provided products for each guest.  All opinions are my own.

This week eighty-six-year-old Apolonia was driven down to the immigration office in Chicago, by her daughter.   Apolonia spent the greater part of her morning choosing dresses for the field-trip into the big city.  Driving through the streets of Chicago she wondered why on earth people needed such large buildings that scrapped the heavenly skies.  At the office, a Polish translator was on hand to ask Apolonia a series of questions regarding her green card application.  She answered each question without missing a beat.  I don't even know if this is legal to post.  Heh.  We shall find out. It's based on the word of mouth anyways. I can see the headlines already "86 year old great-grandmother from Poland DENIED green card based on a mommy blog." Here's a sampling of the interview because in all honestly I want my children to remember her (based on her observations):

Interviewer:  Have you ever been active in the army?

Pola:  No, I was far too busy being a hard working seamstress and raising my four lovely children.

Interviewer:  Have you ever been involved with any terrorist groups?

Pola:  No, I was a housewife my entire life.  I had a good husband named Stanislaw and he treated me well.

Interviewer:  I can tell he treated you well. You are lovely.

Pola:  Phsaw.

Interviewer:  Have you ever been a criminal?

Pola:  No, no, oh Jesus Mary Joseph no. I was a housewife.  A wife of the house and not a criminal.

Interviewer:  What year was your daughter born in?

Pola:  1923? 1938?  I'm getting old and my memories fade. Your memories will fade too, young man.  (My mother, her daughter, was born in 1954)

Apolonia's three daughters, three son-in-laws, seven grandchildren and three great-children are anxiously awaiting to see the status of her green card.  Don't report her because we've really gotten used to her.

Apolonia in America with my three kiddos.